Casten, Bush Introduce IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act to Create a No-Cost and Optional Federal Photo IDs for Americans
Washington, DC (Wednesday, September 14th) – Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Cori Bush (MO-01) introduced the IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act, legislation that would create a federal photo identification card that is free and optional for the American public.
“11% of American adults do not have a government issued photo ID,” said Congressman Casten. “That’s 21 million people who cannot access the basic necessities to take care of themselves in our society, like getting a job, opening a bank account, or visiting urgent care. The IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act creates no-cost federal photo IDs accessible to any American over the age of 14, and gives folks that important first step to provide for themselves.”
“21 million people in our country are barred from vital services, such as leasing an apartment, getting a job, or accessing health care, all because they are unable to afford a government-issued photo ID," said Congresswoman Bush. "In 35 states—including my home state of Missouri— voter ID laws threaten our democracy by silencing the voices of millions of Americans, specifically Black, brown, formerly incarcerated, and unhoused people. The IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act would combat this example of systemic economic injustice and protect our most vulnerable communities by providing federal photo IDs at no cost. With this legislation, we can guarantee a person is able to participate in our democracy - regardless of their income status - and obtain the vital services they need.”
“We are thrilled to have Congressmembers Sean Casten and Cori Bush co-sponsoring the IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act,” said Kat Calvin, CEO of Project ID Action Fund, “Americans without an ID are more likely to become and remain unhoused—stuck in between an endless cycle of homelessness and incarceration and unable to receive healthcare services. The process of obtaining an ID is inconsistent across states, can be cost prohibitive to many, and new IDs in each state require extensive documentation that many people do not have. If passed, this ID bill would be usable in all 50 states, with no need to reapply when moving.”
??"Having a government issued photo id card is essential for everyday life - getting a job, opening a bank account, enrolling in college, renting an apartment - yet too often youth age out of foster care without this vital document. We work with thousands of current and former foster youth who strive to be independent after they leave care but are too often held back by things other youth their age take for granted like having a valid government id. Representative Casten's ID bill simply and effectively removes this barrier. It will enable our young people to achieve self-sufficiency." said Serita Cox, CEO and co-founder of iFoster, a national non-profit serving children and youth in and aging out of foster care.
The 11% of American adults who do not have an ID are unable to:
- Obtain employment
- Sign a lease or purchase a home
- Open a bank account
- Access VA benefits
- Access services from federal programs like WIC and SNAP
- Access services from federally-funded shelters and food banks
- Access drug rehabilitation programs and resources
- Visit an urgent care clinic or access preventative health care if they are sick
- Vote in 35 states
Additionally, Americans without ID are MORE likely to:
- Become or remain unhoused
- Cycle between homelessness and incarceration
- Be poor, black or brown, seniors, or very young
- Become a financial burden on taxpayers due to reliance on public services, incarceration, emergency room visits due to a lack of access to preventative care, etc.
- Be unable to receive basic health care
Why do we need a no-cost Federal ID when state-regulated DMVs exist?
- COST: DMV IDs cost up to $50 and the supporting documents necessary to obtain them can cost as much as $90.22 states do not offer any fee waivers or assistance with those costs. Most provide only partial cost assistance, and only to certain groups.
- ACCESSIBILITY: Most people, even those in rural communities, have a local Post Office. There are 31,247 post offices nationwide. Many do not have convenient access to a DMV, however.
- The difference in access is easy to see at the state level. Whereas there are 180 DMVs in California, there are 1,800 post offices. Illinois has 130 DMVs but 1315 post offices. West Virginia has only 24 DMVs but 655 post offices.
- Post Offices already process passports so it would not be an undue burden to add a new type of ID.
- PROCESS: The process of obtaining an ID is inconsistent across states, and new IDs in each state require extensive documentation. This ID would be usable in all 50 states, with no need to reapply when moving.
The IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act creates a task force of appropriate stakeholders that will create this federal photo identification card through the Social Security Administration and create full processing systems through our U.S. Postal System, similar to the passport process.
The IDs for Inclusive Democracy Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Karen Bass (CA-37) and Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10). It has been endorsed by the Project ID Action Fund, iFoster, the Coalition of Human Needs, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
The text of the bill can be found here.
# # #